John Isner ousts Gilles Simon: France vs. USA – Davis Cup World Group Quarter-Final tie
World number 11, John Isner, squashed the 13th ranked French, Gilles Simon, in straight sets to level the scores 1-1 in the Davis Cup quarter-final tie. He dumped the French in straight sets to gobble up the win and
keep his team in the hunch for the semi-final spot.
Earlier in the day, the French tennis ace, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, dumped the 19-years-old American, Ryan Harrison, in a classic four-setter to give his country a lead. However, his teammate was unable to sustain the lead and the tie
is evenly poised at the moment.
In a post-match interview, 6’9 tall Isner stated, “I don’t mind playing on clay. I feel my serve is good enough to hold on any serve. I’m very pleased with how I played today as I played exceptionally well. I put a good effort
out there. I knew I had to go out and play my best. I’m glad I’m able to contribute to this tie.”
This was his third straight head-to-head win against the French who hasn’t been able to oust the American to date. Isner started the first set in dashing fashion; won an early breakthrough in the fourth game that gave him a lead
of 3-1. He consolidated that lead with a thumping serve hold to gust past with a lead of 4-1.
No breakpoints were shared in the remaining games of the set and the first part of the match belonged to the American who was in desperate need of a win to enhance his country’s chances of winning the tie. He started the second
set in emphatic fashion; broke serve twice to take an unassailable lead of 4-0 upfront.
It was getting pretty ominous for the French who was already a set and two breaks down in the match. He tried to turn the tables on his rival but Isner was in complete control; spared just two games in the second set before marching
on with a set lead of 2-0.
The final set witnessed a competitive battle until the end. Both players registered serve holds to keep the scores together and despite Isner’s onslaught to take over the set, Simon stayed focused and dealt with it.
However, in the 11th game of the set, he dropped two early points on his serve that opened up the gate for the American to break serve. Isner made no mistake in accepting that gift and just needed to hold his serve to
win the match. He did that with ease and kept the tie alive.
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